The Younger Set eBook

CHAPTER IX

A NOVICE

Gerald came to Silverside two or three times during
the early summer, arriving usually on Friday and remaining
until the following Monday morning.

All his youthful admiration and friendship for Selwyn
had returned; that was plainly evident—­and
with it something less of callow self-sufficiency.
He did not appear to be as cock-sure of himself and
the world as he had been; there was less bumptiousness
about him, less aggressive complacency. Somewhere
and somehow somebody or something had come into collision
with him; but who or what this had been he did not
offer to confide in Selwyn; and the older man, dreading
to disturb the existing accord between them, forbore
to question him or invite, even indirectly, any confidence
not offered.

Selwyn had slowly become conscious of this change
in Gerald. In the boy’s manner toward others
there seemed to be hints of that seriousness which
maturity or the first pressure of responsibility brings,
even to the more thoughtless. Plainly enough
some experience, not wholly agreeable, was teaching
him the elements of consideration for others; he was
less impulsive, more tolerant; yet, at times, Selwyn
and Eileen also noticed that he became very restless
toward the end of his visits at Silverside; as though
something in the city awaited him—­some duty,
or responsibility not entirely pleasant.

There was, too, something of soberness, amounting,
at moments, to discontented listlessness—­not
solitary brooding; for at such moments he stuck to
Selwyn, following him about and remaining rather close
to him, as though the elder man’s mere presence
was a comfort—­even a protection.

At such intervals Selwyn longed to invite the boy’s
confidence, knowing that he had some phase of life
to face for which his experience was evidently inadequate.
But Gerald gave no sign of invitation; and Selwyn
dared not speak lest he undo what time and his forbearance
were slowly repairing.

So their relations remained during the early summer;
and everybody supposed that Gerald’s two weeks’
vacation would be spent there at Silverside.
Apparently the boy himself thought so, too, for he
made some plans ahead, and Austin sent down a very
handsome new motor-boat for him.

Then, at the last minute, a telegram arrived, saying
that he had sailed for Newport on Neergard’s
big yacht! And for two weeks no word was received
from him at Silverside.

Late in August, however, he wrote a rather colourless
letter to Selwyn, saying that he was tired and would
be down for the week-end.

He came, thinner than usual, with the city pallor
showing through traces of the sea tan. And it
appeared that he was really tired; for he seemed inclined
to lounge on the veranda, satisfied as long as Selwyn
remained in sight. But, when Selwyn moved, he
got up and followed.